Welcoming the most precious moment of our life

CONCEPTS & VIRTUES OF DEATH

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every soul will taste of death, then unto Us ye will be returned (Al-Quran S29:59)

THE TRUTH OF DEATH

Scholars have observed that death does not mean the ultimate end. It is but a break of the relationship between the soul and the body and it's a transfer of soul from one place to the other.

Death is the beginning of an everlasting life. The real life which has no ending. Hadrat Bilal Ibn. Saad RA used to repeat in his sermons that they were created to live not to perish.

Hadrat Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz r.a used to say that people are created to enjoy the permanent of life. Death does not perish them rather moves them from one house to another.

What will perish is only the body. The soul is created to live forever. A believers death has been explained analogously by some scholars.

As the transfer from a world of hardships to that of peace and luxury.

"O my Hope ! Favour me with your forgiveness.
Favour this traveller who has left behind
his family and home such a death"

Death is simply a shedding of the physical body, like the butterfly coming out of a cocoon. It is a transition into a higher state of consciousness, where you continue to perceive, to understand, to laugh, to be able to grow, and the only thing you lose is something that you don't need anymore... your physical body. It's like putting away your rain coat when spring comes.

Our beloved s.a.w said :
Every runner has a goal and the goal of every living being its death.
Death is the end of sorrows and of joys, of wealth and poverty. or hardship and ease, of sickness and pain. When someone dies the real life begins and what was distant actually comes to be near.

to be continued...

OBJECT OF LIFE AND DEATH

Allah the Almighty while expounding the philosophy of death hath commanded ;
" He is, who has created death and life so as to put ye to the test as to who amongst ye does good works. And He is the All-Mighty, the oft-Forgiving"

(Surah Al-Mulk Ayat 2)

In other words life and death have been created by the Lord of all the words only with the object of testing your deeds and to witness who amongst you do the good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allah's sake and in accordance to the legal ways of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.

This world is a trial and test for man. If he passes this trial he will get eternal success.

"EVERY SOUL WILL TASTE OF DEATH. AND YE WILL PAID ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION ONLY THAT WHICH YE HAVE FAILRLY EARNED. WHOSE IS REMOVED FROM THE FIRE AND IS MADE TO ENTER PARADISE, HE INDEED IS TRIUMPHANT. THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD IS BUT COMFORT OF ILLUSION"
(Al-Quran S3 : 185)

THIS WORLD IS DARUL AMAL (Place for action)
THE LIFE HEREAFTER DARUL JAA'IZAH (The place of receiving rewards)

WHAT IS THE REALITY OF THIS LIFE

This worldy life compared with the life hereafter is like a drop of water in a vast ocean. Pain and suffering in this life, is like a drop of water, however pain and suffering in the life hereafter is like an ocean. Similarly happiness, honour and success in this life is like a drop of water. On the other hand happiness, respect and success in the life hereafter is like an ocean, there is no ending, infact these bounties will be increasing day by day.

Allah S.W.T says" .....Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter"

(Surah Al-Taubah Ayat 38)

"Allah increases the provision for whom He wills, and straitens (it for whom He wills), and they rejoice in the life of the world, where as the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter is but a brief passing enjoyment"

(Surah Ar-Rad Ayat 26)

"And whatever you have been given is an enjoyment of the life of (this) world and its adornment, and that (Hereafter) which is with Allah is better and will remain forever. Have you then no sense?"

(Surah Al-Qasas, Ayat 60)

THE LIFE OF THIS WORLD IS ONLY THE ENJOYMENTS OF DECEPTION. IT IS NOTHING BUT AMUSEMENT AND PLAY.

Allah says "And the life of this world is nothing but play and amusement. But far better is the house in the Hereafter for those who are pious. Will you not then understand?"

(Surah Al-An'am ayat 32)

"And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter, - that is the life indeed, if they but knew".

(Surah Al-Ankabut Ayat 64)

"The life of this world is but play and past time, but if you belive (in the Oneness of Allah) and fear Allah and avoid evil, He will grant you your wages, and will not ask you your wealth".

(Surah Muhammad Ayat 36)

"Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children, as the likeness of vegetation after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. But in the Hereafter there is a severe torment for the evildoers, and there is forgiveness from Allah and his good pleaseure for the believers. Whereas the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment".

(Surah Al-Hadeed, Ayat 20)

These are the words of our creator - who created this world and He is all knowing. MAY ALLAH GIVE US THE TAUFIK TO UNDERSTAND THE REALITY OF THIS WORLD.

WHAT IS MEANT BY A GOOD LIFE?

It can be said that a person in leading a good life when he has :

1. PEACE OF MIND AND CONTENTMENT OF THE HEART.

2. BLESSING (BARAKAT) IN:-

• the family : a pious wife and obedient children; they are the source of coolness to our eyes.
  
• age : He is like a flower giving fragrance to other people and his time is spent meaningfully, always busy with the preparation for the life hereafter.
  
  
• earning : enough to fulfill his needs.

3. LOVE AND RESPECT (IZZAT) FROM ALLAH

4. PRAYERS WHICH IS ACCEPTED BY ALLAH

5. UNSEEN HELP AND MERCY OF ALLAH IS ALWAYS WITH HIM.


If the kings of the world know the peace of mind that Allah S.W.T bestows on His beloved servant they will be very envious of what they have been deprived....however they are so much intoxicated with this world that they don't understand the reality of good life.

ONLY WHEN DEATH COMES THEY WILL BE SOBER AGAIN;
HOWEVER THAT IS ALREADY TOO LATE.....

JANNAH (Paradise) LIES IN THE DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE

Abu Hurairah R.A. narrated the Prophet s.a.w. said "Hell is veiled in delights; Heaven in hardship and miseries".
(Bukhari, Muslim)

Our Nabi s.a.w has warned that "Hell has been concealed in the pleasures of this world while Jannah lies in the difficulties of life. Hence those who seek the pleasures of this life are, in reality, on the same path leading to Hell, and those who patiently tolerate the sufferings and hardships of life while still persevering in their performance of virtuous deeds are certainly on the path through which one attains Jannah"

This life is a trial. Allah says "Or think that you will enter paradise without such trials as come to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, "When will come the Help of Allah?" Yes! certainly the Help of Allah is near!"
(Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat 214)

HOWEVER ALL IN HIS INFINITE MERCY AND GRACE WILL NOT TAKE FROM US A TEST WHICH ARE NOT CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING IT

For everything there is a price, similarly for Jannah there is a certain price we have to pay. Until and unless we paid the stated price we would not be able to taste it..

DEATH IS A GIFT

Hadrat Abdullah Ibn Umar R.A. quotes the Holy Prophet s.a.w to have said “Death is a gift for a believer”
(Hakim, Baihaqi)

Hadrat Ibnu Mas’ud R.A. has said that the neat and clean things has gone from the world and only sediment has been left. So death is a gift to every Muslim.
(Ibn Abi Shaiba, Maruzi, Tabarani)

Hadrat Imam Husain Ibn Ali R.A quotes the Holy Prophet s.a.w. to have stated that death is a lovely gift of the Almighty to the believer.
(Dailami)

The gift is a token of love and grace and something new. The death is a favour to man from Allah as he transfers a soul from the mortal bounds to perpetuity and immortality and to a state of complete bliss and happiness.

DEATH IS A DELIGHT FOR BELIEVERS

Hadrat Malik Ibn Maghool R.A. says that the first thing which a believer will embrace is death when he witnesses the Divine Benevolence.
(Ibn. Abidduniya)

Maharib ibn Wisar says that Hadrat Khasima asked him if the thought of death delighted him. He replied in the negative. Then he said that as far as he knew death does not please only those who see flaws in their good deeds or faith.
(Ibn. Mubarak)

Hadrat Rabi ibn Khaisam R.A. says that death is better than all those mysterious things in life which a believer waits for.

Those who made effort on their faith and have done good deeds, death delights them.

DEATH WIPES OUT SINS

Hadrat Anas R.A. quotes the Holy Prophet s.a.w. to have said that the death is expiation for every believer's sin. Ibn Arabi has confirmed the authenticity of this report.
(Abu Naim, Baihaqi)

That the thing which compensates for the wrong doing and wipes out sins is called expiation. Due to hardships confronted sins are pardoned. For some all sins are forgiven and for some part of their sins are forgiven, according to the persons status.

LESSENING OF WEALTH REDUCES ACCOUNTABILITY

Hadrat Mahmood ibn Labeeb R.A. quotes the Holy Prophet s.a.w. to have stated man does not appreciate two things which are better for him. One is death which he fears, not knowing that it is better than odd mischiefs, the other lessening of wealth which he dislikes without knowing that it reduces accountability as well.

Hadrat Zar'aa ibn. Abdullah R.A. quotes the Holy Prophet s.a.w. to have stated that the man loves life although death is better for him. And he loves possession of much wealth although lessening of wealth reduces accountability as well.
(Baihaqi)

Ummu Darda' R. Anha says that she questioned Abu Darda' as to why he does not ask for money and position from the Prophet as some others do. Abu Darda' replied that the Prophet s.a.w. has said "In front of you lies a difficult valley. Those laden with riches cannot traverse it" I therefore, prefer that I should be light weighted to climb the steep path.
(Baihaqi)

HAPPINESS DOES NOT COME FROM THE ABUNDANCE OF GOODS BUT FROM A CONTENTED HEART

to be continued...

WE COME INTO THIS WORLD AS A TRAVELLER

Life in this world as if you are a traveller on a journey or rather like a wayfarer.

Ibn Mas'ud narrated the Prophet s.a.w. slept on a mattress and it left its inprints on his body. I said "O Aspostle, if you permit, we could provide you with a bed and proper clothes" The prophet s.a.w. said " What have I to do with this world? The similitude of the world and my self is like that of a rider who stands a while under the shadow of a tree and then moves on leaving the tree standing"
(Ahmad, Tirmizi, Ibn. Majah)

When the whistle blow we have to move to the next station and when the appointed time come we cannot delay a second.

The shortness of this life is like entering a house from the front door and going out through the back door.

The world is not a place of attachment. It is a place of lesson and not a show.

"COME BACK THOU TO THY LORD WELL PLEASED (THYSELF) AND WELL-PLEASING UNTO HIM"
"ENTER THOU, THEN AMONG MY DEVOTEES"
"YEA, ENTER THOU MY HEAVEN"
(Al-Quran S89 : 27-30)

TO MEET ALLAH IS THE DEAREST QUALITY

According to Aqba Ibn. Muslim R.A. the dearest quality of man in the sight of Allah is his endearing desire to meet Allah.
(Ibn. Mubarak)

Hadrat Muaz Ibn. Jabal R.A. says that Holy Prophet s.a.w. asked the companions if they want, he could them what Allah would ask the believer first on the day of reckoning and what the believer would submit. When the companions requested him to narrate, he said that the first question asked by Allah would be if they loved to meet Him. Then he would ask the reason for the same. The believers would submit because they hoped for His forgiveness and pardon. Thereupon Allah would say that forgiveness had become inevitable for them.
(Ibn. Mubarak, Imam Ahmad, Tabarani)

When a believer hears this that Allah is please with them, they will be relieved from all worries and distress, their heart will be filled with solace, joy and happiness.

THIS LIFE IS LIKE A DREAM

Eventhough a person had a bad and unpleasant dream, when he wakes up and sees his loving wife with her most beautiful gown, smiling and holding a glass of fresh juice, taking his hand with tender and loving touch, at that moment he would forget all about the bad dream.

COMMENTS

For some hadith it is found that life is given preference over death. For example, the hadith in Bukhari and Muslim state Rasulullah s.a.w. said : "None from among you should hope and desire death, because if one is pious, good deeds will increase by longevity, If one is sinful, it is possible one will have the taufiq of repenting". From this it is clear that life is better than death.

The answer to this doubt is that laws differ according to different aspects. During life, good deeds could increase and repentance from sin could also be made, as mentioned in the above hadith. Death is the apposite; but the cause for this preference, is that this life is temporary and lasts for a few days. On the Other hand for some people death saves him from sins and the trials and tribulations in the Deen (religion).

The world in comparisons to the hereafter is like the narrowness and darkness of a mothers womb. According to this, only death could be given preference, because leaving this world, and going out of this dark home and reaching into the vast and splendid home is not possible without death. The hereafter is much better than this world. The world is nothing in comparison to the hereafter. The hereafter is not temporary but everlasting. The preference for the everlasting is apparent over that which is temporary and mortal.

Another question is that in the hadith it has been prohibited to hope for death. If death is a good thing why is it prohibited to hope for it. The answer is that in the same hadith this has also been mentioned : "Min darrin asaabahu" (from difficulties confronted). That means one must not wish for death due to hardships or difficulties experienced, because this will be a sign of not accepting the will of Allah Ta'ala. If hoping for death is due to yearning for the hereafter and saving one's self from fitnah, then it is not prohibited.

To be continued...

*bump... I've lost the book

*bump...i found the book

2 years... I commend your perseverance